Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has approved a slew of multi-billion naira palliatives to cushion the effects of recent removal of fuel subsidy across different sectors and demographics of the state.

On top of the palliatives is a cash support of N10,000 for every public sector worker in the state, which will begin this month (July) and last until a new minimum wage is introduced to enable workers cope with the economic shocks created by the subsidy removal.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mallam Rafiu Ajakaiye, disclosed this in a news briefing held today at the government house in Ilorin.

According to the Ajakaiye, the governor also approved immediate cash backing of 2019 and 2020 promotion for workers at teaching service commission and restored steps for Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board, KWSUBEB, workers.

On reduction of working days for civil servants, Ajakaye said the Head of Service would workout modalities for implementation of three working days inline with Governor AbdulRazaq’s directive.

He noted that “the free bus service for students of Tertiary Institutions within the state capital introduced in June is still running while modalities for occasional distribution of food to poor and most vulnerable households would be activated in the next few days.”

The governor approved the payment of new hazard and skipping allowances, as well as 100% CONMESS for consultants and medical doctors while a new regime of allowances for nurses under the government’s payroll was also approved.

The governor has also approved for the Kwara State Social Investment Programme, KWASSIP, to activate a N500m worth of conditional support for petty traders and MSMEs in the state.

The chief press secretary noted that “the state government would receive fertilisers and grains from the federal government for distribution to farmers to boost farming outputs and food security in the state.

Mallam Rafiu Ajakaiye added that the government would set up committee to interface with market leaders to guard against arbitrary fixing of prices of food stuffs.